Sitges

Sitges: summer home to Barcelona's chic society and gay community, hot spot for party-goers, magnet for sun and beach lovers... all in all and the place to go if you want to party 'til you drop. Since Sitges is such a popular beach resort, it can be expensive, crowded and touristy, especially during the high season and on weekends. If you don't mind braving the hordes, though, you're guaranteed a great time at night and wide, sandy beaches during the day.

Sitges is also renowned as a gay hotspot. The gay community comes out in full force during carnival time, throwing one of Spain's wildest seasonal parties (Feb-March).

Beaches in Sitges

There are 15 different beaches in Sitges along more than 3km of coast in the city center, plus 7 beaches located in the municipial district. The latter ones are quieter and more relaxed whereas the city beaches offer all types of beach activities and services, such as boat rental, sport activities, chair rental, life guards, public toilets, etc. The water and sand are of high quality and significantly nicer than beaches in Barcelona. Sitges's Passeig Marítim is a great promenade with restaurants and bars -- daytime beach action is concentrated around here, so be prepared for quite the scene.

How to reach Sitges from Barcelona

During the high season (May-October) you can catch a "rodalies" train from the Barcelona Sants station. No need to buy tickets in advance, since as many as 4 trains leave every hour. Alternatively, hop on a "rodalies" train at the Passeig de Gràcia metro station towards "Vilanova / St Vicenç." It will take you approximately 25 minutes to reach Sitges beaches by train. The last departure from Sitges to Barcelona is around 10:30 pm.

Sant Antoni Market

Here’s another food market, similar to La Boqueria except larger and without all the tourists. Also don´t do what I did and go in August as you will find most of the stalls closed. However all the stalls that were still open were doing very good trade, and even the small tapas bar in the middle of the market was full of locals having a bite. The stall owners are very friendly and helpful, and there is a lovely deli counter just on the left as you go in the main entrance if you want to buy something nice to take home with you.

On Sunday from 08:00-15:00 just outside the market there is a book and coin market for all the collectors out there. You will find a tremendous assortment of old books, magazines, comics and postcards.

Boqueria Market

It's the biggest market of Europe and, probably of the whole Occidental world. La Boqueria's market, located in the emblematic Ramblas of the city, is an obliged visit for the tourists and has been converted in one of the symbols of Barcelona today.

The market was constructed with the current metal framework in the year 1914, but the first documents of the market's existence date form back to the 13th century. It's the most famous of the 41 markets that exist in Barcelona. It has a whole of 6.000 m2 where there are located more than 300 booth (of vegetables, fruits, meats, fish, specializations ...) that are the real grace of the market. It's importance takes root in offering a great assortment of fresh products and a great explosion of colours, people and movement that makes it unique in the world. There is a popular expression that says: if you don't find something in La Boqueria, it can't be found in any other place.

The popular name is La Boqueria but it's official name is Sant Josep's Market because the Sant Josep's convent that was burnt in 1835 was placed there. This fact was very important for the reconstruction and consolidation of the market. It's architecture is harmonious, but remains hidden under its iron construction; it is necessary to emphasize that the window and the medallion of the entry are of modernist style.

The market has suffered some architectural changes. In april of this year the works of reconstructions have been finished, which have liberated the squared porch and have supposed the recovery of the perimetrical column. The most important is that the market has wan in lighting and it has been opened to the street.

The services that La Boqueria offers have been extended with small places where we can eat and drink. There are 10 establishments of two different classes; the newsstand - bars to take a coffee, a refreshment or an appetizer, and small bar - restaurants to sit down in stools and to savour the economic menus or the most typical plates, without leaving the market. Between all these mini bars we find the Universal newsstand to take a recommendable menu of the day, the Pinotxo bar with the amiability of Juanito, the owner's bar and key personage in La Boquería throughout the years, which tells us the market has gained with it's reconstruction. We prune to take some tapa's (snack) in Quim's bar or eating a good chocolate with fritters in the Sant Josep's bar. At the end of the market, in the Garduña's place, we find a restaurant that takes the same name, reformed with the last works in the market. This restaurant offers Mediterranean and Catalan food to different prices, and the day's menu costs 8,25 euros.

We recommend to eat in the places that we have named above, but if in case of preferring to eat with carte, the Boqueria's market is surrounded by well-known restaurants where to choose plates of Mediterranean food. It's the case of the Turia restaurant, http://www.barcelona-on-line.es/elturia, in Petxina's street that offers renewed and varied plates, such as fish, seafood and an economic menu of 9,60 euros that is very good. We also outstand The Convent, in the Jerusalem street, specialist in Catalan gastronomy, and La Palmera restaurant that offers market food, located behind La Boqueria.

La Boqueria's market is located in the Ramblas number 101 and opens at 8:00 a.m. and closes at 8:30 p.m.

International Restaurants

International Restaurants in Barcelona

The international restaurant scene in Barcelona far surpasses any other city in Spain. With everything from sushi and kebabs to Cuban, Greek and Ethiopian food, you'll find plenty of options to stray from typical regional fare.

On the creative/ fusion end, Barcelona is a hub for experimental chefs. Native Ferran Adria is world famous for his crazy culinary experiments, and many of his protegès have their own restaurants in the city center at more affordable prices ... and with the possibility of actually getting a reservation in this century.

These "nueva cocina española" haunts are still quite pricey but a definite part of the Barcelona restaurant experience.

Below are some listings for some popular international Barcelona restaurants.

Fusion/ Creative Restaurants in Barcelona

Comerç 24

c/ del Comerç 24, La Ribera

Metro Barceloneta

Tel (+34) 93 319 21 02

Daily Tue-Fri, Sat dinner onlyMeal for one €35-45

Àbac

c/ del Rec 79-89, La Ribera

Metro Barceloneta

Tel (+34) 93 319 66 00

Open daily, Mondays dinner only, closed August

Meal for one €90-100

Cuban Restaurants in Barcelona

HBN BCN

c/ Escar 1, La Barceloneta

Metro Barceloneta

Tel (+34) 932 25 02 63

Daily 1-4pm & 9pm-midnight

Entrees under €15

Habana Vieja

c/ dels Banys Vells 2, la Ribera
Metro Jaume I

Tel (+34) 93 268 25 04

Meal for one about €20

Japanese Restaurants in Barcelona

Hello Sushi

c/ Junta de Comerç 14, El Raval

Metro Universitat

Tel (+34) 934 12 08 30

Daily 12:30-4:40pm & 8:30pm-12:30am, Sun 12:30-4:40pm, closed Mondays

Sushi Itto

c/ Londres 103, Gràcia

Tel (+34) 932 41 21 99

Daily 1:30-4:30pm & 8:30pm-midnight

French Restaurants in Barcelona

Krampus (Crepes)

c/ de Saragossa 89, Gràcia

Metro Lesseps

Tel (+34) 93 200 85 97

Daily for dinner, closed Mondays

La Carassa (Fondue)

c/ de Brosoli 1, La Ribera
Metro Jaume I

Tel (+34) 93 310 33 06

Thai Restaurants in Barcelona

Thai Gardens

c/ de la Diputació 273, Eixample

Metro Passeig de Gràcia
Tel (+34) 93 487 98 98

Closed SundaysMeal for one €25-30

Tapas & Catalan Cuisine

Catalan Cuisine
Catalan cuisine, like peninsular fare on the whole, is largely elaborated with one key ingredient: olive oil. Garlic and tomatoes are other staples, along with excellent seafood, mostly concentrated in the restaurants around the Barceloneta.

Tapas
Tapas culture is not particularly strong in Barcelona. Supposedly born in southern Spain, where waiters would cover ("tapar") a class of wine with a small ration of food, the tapa has never been a Catalan tradition.

Nevertheless, you will find a high concentration of tapas bars in Ciutat Vella, the old part of town. In accordance with Barcelona's "cool" reputation, many of these give tapas a creative twist in a chill-out atmosphere. Going "de tapeo" is a great way to get to know various locales and tastes at an affordable price.

Below we've listed the most traditional and popular Barcelona restaurants serving tapas, Catalan & Spanish cuisine, plus tapas bars for those who want to try this uniquely Spanish activity. Where price range is concerned, remember that the lunchtime "menú del día" will come to €7-13 for a 3 course meal. Our estimates are based on a full dinner meal.

Barcelona Tapas Restaurants

Bodega

c/ del Regomir 11, Barri Gótic

Metro Jaume I

No phone

Daily 1pm-2am, closed Mondays & first half of August

Quimet i Quimet

c/ Poeta Cabanyes 25, Poble Sec

Metro Paral.lel

Tel (+34) 93 442 31 42

Closed Mondays, Sundays lunch only

Txapel (Euskal Taberna)

Pg. de Gràcia 8-10, Eixample

Metro Catalunya

Tel (+34) 93 412 02 89

Open Mon-Thu 8am-1:30, Fri-Sun 10am-2am

Picture taken from "La Tartine Gourmande" http://www.latartinegourmande.com/

Catalan & Spanish Restaurants in Barcelona

Agut

c/ d'En Gignàs 16, Barri Gótic

Metro Jaume I

Tel (+34) 93 315 17 09

Open Tues-Sat, Sunday lunch only €20-30 per person

Cafè de l'Acadèmia

c/ de Ledo 1, Barri Gótic

Metro Jaume I

Tel (+34) 93 319 82 53

Open Mon-Fri€20-30 per person

Los Caracoles

c/ dels Escudellers 14, Las Ramblas

Metro Drassanes or Liceu

Tel (+34) 93 302 31 85 Open daily 1pm-midnight€20-30 per person

Can Culleretes

c/ Quintana 5, Las Ramblas

Metro Liceu

Tel (+34) 93 317 30 22

Closed Mondays, Sundays lunch only €20-30 per person

Set Portes

Pg. d'Isabel II 14, La Ribera

Metro Barceloneta

Tel (+34) 93 319 29 50 Daily 1pm-1am€20-30 per person

Orígens 99.9%

c/ de la Vidriera 6-8, La Ribera

Metro Jaume I

Tel (+34) 93 310 75 31 Daily 12:30pm-1:30am€15-20 per person

Els 4 Gats (Picasso's first exhibit opened here!)

c/ Montsió 3, Barri Gótic

Metro Catalunya

Tel (+34) 93 302 41 40

Daily 1pm-1am€10-30 per person

Casa Leopoldo

c/ de Sant Rafael 24, El Raval

Metro Liceu

Tel (+34) 93 441 30 14

Closed Mondays, Sundays lunch only €30-50 per person

Budget Restaurants

While Barcelona boasts some extremely fine and pricey restaurants, there's no reason to burn a whole in your pocket when you can head to the places listed below, and there are many more to discover. Most budget Barcelona restaurants are located in the old part of townand Gràcia, as Barcelona restaurants in the Eixample logically reflect the neighborhood's more upscale character.

At lunch time, the biggest meal of the day, you'll find cheap "menú" deals for €7 and up - even when the restaurant's a la carte dishes are expensive. A typical menú includes 3 courses and a beverage, so filling up mid-day is the best way to eat well without spending an arm and a leg.
If you're sticking to a tight budget, you can avoid Barcelona restaurants entirely and head to the markets. The Mercat de la Boquería, right on Las Ramblas, is a backpacker favorite.

Les Quinze Nits

If you walk through the Plaça Reial at lunch or dinner time, you'll immediately recognize Les Quinze Nits by the huge line of patrons snaking through the plaza. This popular budget restaurant doesn't take reservations, but your patience will pay off. The food is stupefyingly cheap and delicious, with mostly regional dishes, but it's one of the few Barcelona restaurants concerned about turnover, so don't expect as relaxed a pace as most digs. If you're traveling on a budget and want to feel like you're going posh without spending more than €13 for an entree, then this is the place to go.

Plaça Reial 6, Barri Gòtic

Metro Liceu

Tel (+34 933 17 30 75)

Daily 1pm-3:35pm and 8:30pm-11:30pm

Xampanerias (Champagne Bars)
One thing you'll learn quickly while traveling in Spain: the best affordable spots are often claustrophobically packed. Don't fret, though - that's a sure sign that you're in for a good meal. These two Xampanerias (Champagne bars) in the hip Born area are worth elbowing your way through hordes of locals and tourists to order a bottle of cava, Spanish sparking white wine, for €2-€7, accompanied by delicious tapas like pa amb tomàquet, chorizo, cheese, pork, burgers... whatever suits your fancy.

Xampanyetc/ de Montacada 22, La Ribera

Metro Jaume I

Tues-Sat noon-4pm and 7-11:30pm, Sun noon-4pm

Can Paixano c/ Reina Cristina 7, La Ribera

Metro Jaume I or Barceloneta

Buenas Migas
Grab a large tosted focaccia topped with cheese, meat or veggies at this indoor/ outdoor café and you'll be hard pressed to spend more than €5. It's a great place to fill up quick and hop over to the nearby MACBA or CCCB for some contemporary Barcelona culture.

Plaça Bonsuccès 6, El Raval

Metro Catalunya

Tel (+34) 933 18 37 08

Mon-Wed & Sun 10am-11pm, Thurs-Sat til midnight

Maoz Vegetarian
Maoz offers one option - falafel - with a varied salad bar. Here's how it works: you get a couple of falafel in a pita, with or without hummus, and are free to pile on toppings at your heart's desire. It's healthy, vegetarian, and cheap. Even with all the fixings and a beverage, you won't exceed €4.50.

3 locations:

c/ Ferran 13, La Rambla 95, c/ Jaume I 7, Barri Gòtic

Metro Liceu, Drassanes, Jaume I

Daily 11am-1:30am, Fri & Sat til 2:30am, closed Mondays.

The Bagel Shop
Ok, ok, so you didn't come to Barcelona for a taste of New York. Nevertheless, for a quick, filling bite right by Las Ramblas, the Bagel Shop is the way to go. They offer a wide selection of bagels from under €1; slap on a spread or build a sandwich for €3-6.

c/ Canuda 25, Barri Gòti

Metro Catalunya

Mon-Sat 9:30am-9:30pm; Sept-June open Sundays 11am-4pm

Nou Candanchu
With summer tables set up on the plaza under Gracia's emblematic clock tower, Nous Candanchu serves Cataln dishes for €6-€11.

Plaça Rius i Taulet 9, Gràcia

Metro Fontana

Tel (+34) 932 377 362

Daily 7am-1am, Fri & Sat til 3am, closed Tuesdays.

Gavina
This legendary Gracia pizzeria is quirky and fun, but expect substantial waits for a table after 8pm.

c/Ros de Olano 17, Gràcia

Metro Diagonal

Tues-Sun, noon-1am

Barcelona Architecture

Barcelona is a city with mind-blowing architecture. When you first encounter Antoni Gaudí's La Sagrada Familia or his rooftop sculptures at La Pedrera, you'll be floored by the originality and hallucinogenic quality of his works. There's much in Barcelona unlike anything you've ever seen.

Barcelona architecture is, in reality, an attraction in itself. Just stroll around the city, especially through the Gothic Quarter and the Eixample, and you'll find an endless amount of fascinating buildings and unexpected treasures.

From Roman times to the Gothic period to the Catalan Art Nouveau, "modernisme," Barcelona's architecture naturally transmits the city's rich history. It speaks for eras of varying prosperity and decline, for fervent Catalan nationalism or subjugation to the central government, for Expos, Olympic Games, Cultural Forums and more.

The two most important styles of Barcelona architecture are Catalan Gothic, a medieval style, and Modernisme, a turn of the 20th century movement protagonized by Antoni Gaudi.
Apart from the Middle Ages and Barcelona's turn of the 20th century "Renaixença" (Catalan Renaissance) it's well worth mentioning the city's ancient remains.

You can see significant sections of the 4th century Roman walls at the Museu d'Història de la Ciutat and inside the Cathedral's Casa de L'Ardiaca, the Archdeacon's House.